Report: Hawks’ Budenholzer withdraws from Suns’ coaching search
Apr 19, 2018, 7:40 PM | Updated: Apr 20, 2018, 3:20 pm
(AP Photo/John Amis)
The Atlanta Hawks’ Mike Budenholzer has withdrawn his consideration from the Phoenix Suns’ head coaching vacancy, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Budenholzer spent Monday and Tuesday with Suns front office members — including general manager Ryan McDonough and owner Robert Sarver — after the Suns received permission from the Hawks to speak with him, per Wojnarowski.
Budenholzer had two years and over $13 million left on his salary with the Hawks. Wojnarowski notes “there was never traction on reaching a contract agreement” between the Suns and Budenholzer.
The Suns interviewed former Memphis Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale on Wednesday, according to the New York Times’ Marc Stein and Suns interim head coach Jay Triano on Thursday, per 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s John Gambadoro.
According to 98.7 FM’s Gambadoro, the Suns are also interested in former Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford and former Orlando Magic head coach Frank Vogel.
Wojnarowski reported Thursday night that former Houston Rockets head coach Kevin McHale is also a name the Suns are considering.